The five novellas of the Duo Ex Machina series are full of song lyrics I wrote to go with the stories. Some are by the two-man band Duo Ex Machina (comprising the two lead characters, Frank Capriano and Milo Bertolone, who are also boyfriends). Others are by their friend, Gabriella Valli, and yet others are…
Read moreCategory: Novellas
Crowdfunding for a Song: The Music of Duo Ex Machina
I grew up influenced by musicals, and that may be why I now write so many stories with music in them. As a child I learned piano and though that fell by the wayside – partly because my family kept moving house and moving the cheap old piano along with us was a bit of…
Read moreCover Reveal: Duo Ex Machina 5 – Little Star
I’m so pleased to reveal to you the cover of the fifth and final novella of the Duo Ex Machina series, Little Star. Willsin Rowe has designed the covers for each of the novellas, and he’s brought us to the end with this delight. About Little Star Families can be thorny, especially when the closet’s…
Read moreNew! Duo Ex Machina: Kiss and Cry
My first new release for 2020 is the fourth novella in my Duo Ex Machina series, Kiss and Cry. Now that it has finished being serialised on my Patreon, the book is available to the general public! Set in 2014, Kiss and Cry sees musicians and life partners Frank Capriano and Milo Bertolone facing new challenges. Milo is…
Read moreCover Reveal: Duo Ex Machina – Kiss and Cry
I’m delighted to reveal the cover for my upcoming fourth Duo Ex Machina novella, Kiss and Cry. Set in 2014, Kiss and Cry sees musicians and life partners Frank Capriano and Milo Bertolone facing new challenges. Milo is taking part in a celebrity ice dancing show for charity; Frank is a busy music producer. They’re…
Read moreResearch: The (invented) Hobart Kites
In the new Duo Ex Machina novella, Kiss and Cry – currently being serialised on my Patreon – I have my muso couple, Frank and Milo, hitting their late thirties and a bumpy patch in their relationship. While Frank is working long hours as a producer now, Milo is burning the candle at both ends…
Read moreAustralian Music: 2014
Over on my Patreon, I’ve started posting cahpters for the fourth Duo Ex Machina book, set in 2014. Kiss and Cry brings Frank and Milo five years on from the events of Number One Fan: Frank is a successful producer and Milo is concentrating on raising funds and doing work with his Foundation. I’m inventing…
Read moreResearch: A home in Carlton
When Duo Ex Machina‘s Frank and Milo first appeared in a story, they’d just returned from Amsterdam – they were kinda big with the Dutch – to attend a funeral in Fremantle. They had no home but a hotel. By the second story in 2004, they were on a publicity tour, and still no home…
Read moreCover Reveal: Duo Ex Machina Book 3 – Number One Fan
I’m delighted to reveal the cover for my third Duo Ex Machina novel, Number One Fan. Duo Ex Machina Book 3: Number One Fan It’s 2009 and Frank and Milo are in a new phase of their music career. They’re not where they thought they’d be: the violence they’ve witnessed and been subjected to has…
Read more2018: My writing year – and my year to come: 2019
On the brink of a new year, I’m looking back on 2018 with satisfaction and maybe a smidge of exhaustion. 2019 looks to be just as full of writing challenges and delights! In case you missed anything, I’ve summarised my writing year below – and teased with some of my upcoming projects for 2019! Thank…
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